James Street North could be closed to car traffic during COVID-19
- Craig Clark
- 23 Apr 2020
Hamilton city council will have its pandemic emergency team determine whether to close James Street North to car traffic during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Closing the iconic downtown street would allow for more properly-spaced foot traffic while the community continues to practice social distancing. More than 200 people submitted a petition for the city to close down the street to vehicle traffic passing through.
Ham councillors have to refer the request by residents to close James Street North on behalf of pedestrians because EOC has the authority under pandemic. #HamOnt
— Kevin Werner (@WerkHCN) April 22, 2020
Advocates for the closure say the sidewalks are two narrow to properly follow orders of staying two metres away from others. Cyclists are also arguing that their space has been significantly reduced due to the closure of trails and parks.
Others argue that closing the roads to vehicle traffic could harm James North’s already struggling businesses as well as inadvertently encourage crowds to develop in the area.
Councillors voted on Wednesday to ask for a report from the Emergency Operations Centre team that coordinates most of the city’s pandemic response.
Other cities in the province have already closed some streets to vehicle traffic. Ottawa temporarily closed a portion of a popular parkway. Brampton also announced the development of temporary bike lanes in the city.
Lead image courtesy of @hamontsalsa
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